A year ago, the Ankeny Centennial boys' cross country team didn't even qualify for the Class 4A state meet. On Saturday, the Jaguars found themselves on the awards podium following this year's meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. They placed third with 157 points, by far the highest finish in school history. Centennial's previous best was a … [Read more...] about ‘We knew we had it in us’: Jaguars place 3rd in 4A, capture trophy for first time
Featured
Podium finishers Blevins, Flick lead Jags to 5th place in 4A, school-record score
The Ankeny Centennial girls' cross country team was looking to earn a spot on the awards podium for only the second time in school history. The sixth-ranked Jaguars settled for a school record instead. Centennial placed fifth in the Class 4A state meet on Saturday at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge. The Jaguars scored 136 points, five fewer than … [Read more...] about Podium finishers Blevins, Flick lead Jags to 5th place in 4A, school-record score
Ankeny’s Madetzke, Smith overcome adversity to finish careers at state meet
Ankeny seniors Makenna Madetzke and Isaiah Smith closed out their high school cross country careers on Saturday in similar fashion. They both competed in the Class 4A state meet at Lakeside Golf Course in Fort Dodge as individuals after their respective teams failed to qualify. "It was a little different, but I train a lot alone in the winter time," … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Madetzke, Smith overcome adversity to finish careers at state meet
‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Hawks’ season ends with loss to reigning champs
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) There was nothing that the Ankeny football players would’ve enjoyed more than being the team to officially end the four-year championship reign of the Southeast Polk Rams. But one too many mistakes on a cold Halloween night and a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute ended Ankeny’s season well short of what the Hawks were … [Read more...] about ‘We didn’t play well enough to win’: Hawks’ season ends with loss to reigning champs
‘We just came up a little bit short’: Jaguars’ late rally falls short in loss at Johnston
After twice falling behind by three touchdowns, the Ankeny Centennial football team could have let its season come to an uneventful conclusion. But the Jaguars refused to go away quietly. Visiting Centennial rallied for a pair of scores and had a chance to drive for a tying touchdown in the final minutes before third-seeded Johnston held on for a 34-26 … [Read more...] about ‘We just came up a little bit short’: Jaguars’ late rally falls short in loss at Johnston
Pennington, Drake women defeat Salukis to wrap up MVC regular season crown
Alanna Pennington and the Drake women's soccer team captured the Missouri Valley Conference regular season title with a 1-0 victory over Southern Illinois on Thursday afternoon at Mediacom Stadium. It's the eighth regular season crown in program history and the second in the last three seasons for the Bulldogs, who finished 6-2-1 in the conference and … [Read more...] about Pennington, Drake women defeat Salukis to wrap up MVC regular season crown
‘We just couldn’t quite get over the hump’: Eagles’ 1A reign ends with loss to BCLUW
Ankeny Christian Academy's volleyball dominance in Class 1A has come to an end. The seventh-ranked Eagles were denied a fourth consecutive trip to the state tournament on Wednesday at Nevada, where they dropped a 25-16, 25-23, 23-25, 25-16 decision to No. 6 BCLUW in a Class 1A regional final. The Comets (36-8) ended ACA's three-year reign as state … [Read more...] about ‘We just couldn’t quite get over the hump’: Eagles’ 1A reign ends with loss to BCLUW
‘We did what we needed to do!’: Confident Jaguars are headed back to state tourney
The Ankeny Centennial volleyball team won't need a map to Coralville. The Jaguars have made a habit of qualifying for the state tournament, so coach Jessica Rinehart and her players already know the way to Xtream Arena. Second-ranked Centennial advanced to the state tournament for the 12th time in the 13-year history of the program by sweeping visiting … [Read more...] about ‘We did what we needed to do!’: Confident Jaguars are headed back to state tourney
‘We’re going for it all’: Hawkettes look to contend for title after sweeping Kennedy
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) A lot has changed on Ankeny’s volleyball roster between the 2024 and 2025 seasons, but the Hawkettes' tradition of reaching the Class 5A state tournament hasn’t changed. Ankeny faced heavy losses to graduation, simply reloaded its roster and officially punched its ticket right back to Coralville. The sixth-ranked … [Read more...] about ‘We’re going for it all’: Hawkettes look to contend for title after sweeping Kennedy
ACA sweeps Warhawks, will play BCLUW in rematch for trip to state tournament
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Ankeny Christian Academy’s route back to Coralville includes two championship rematches from last season, and the Eagles have already survived the first one. Seventh-ranked ACA swept visiting Southeast Warren (25-14, 25-15, 25-15) in Monday’s Class 1A regional semifinal to set up a Region 8 championship match against No. 6 … [Read more...] about ACA sweeps Warhawks, will play BCLUW in rematch for trip to state tournament
Ex-Jag Benkufsky captures No. 3 doubles crown for Rams at MWC Championships
After a successful high school tennis career at Ankeny Centennial, Jenna Benkufsky has continued to find success at the collegiate level. The Cornell College sophomore teamed up with senior Audrey Small to claim the No. 3 doubles title in the Midwest Conference Women's Individual Championships on Oct. 19 at Nielsen Tennis Stadium on the campus of the … [Read more...] about Ex-Jag Benkufsky captures No. 3 doubles crown for Rams at MWC Championships
Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Isaiah Smith, Ankeny boys’ cross country
Ankeny senior Isaiah Smith has qualified for Saturday's state cross country meet in Fort Dodge. He placed fourth in a boys' Class 4A district meet on Wednesday at Marshalltown with a time of 16 minutes 2 seconds. Smith is a four-time state qualifier who placed 65th in Class 4A as a freshman, took 15th as a sophomore and then finished 37th in 2024. He … [Read more...] about Ankeny Fanatic Prep of the Week: Isaiah Smith, Ankeny boys’ cross country
‘I’m proud of the girls’: Ankeny swimmers avenge losses, place 4th at CIML meet
The Ankeny girls' swimming team avenged a pair of dual-meet losses during the regular season while placing fourth in the CIML Conference meet on Saturday at the Waukee Natatorium. The seventh-ranked Hawkettes racked up 309 points to finish far ahead of No. 11 Valley (199 points) and No. 5 Johnston (152), two teams that they lost to last month. "We had … [Read more...] about ‘I’m proud of the girls’: Ankeny swimmers avenge losses, place 4th at CIML meet
‘We’re extremely confident’: Jags wrap up playoff berth with 49-7 win over S.C. North
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) With playoff football looming in the background, Ankeny Centennial needed to come out on its home turf and take care of business before it worried about the postseason. And the Jaguars did just that. Centennial had the running clock going in the second half as the Jaguars earned their spot in the Class 5A playoffs with a … [Read more...] about ‘We’re extremely confident’: Jags wrap up playoff berth with 49-7 win over S.C. North
Playoff pairings announced: Hawks to host S.E. Polk, Jaguars travel to No. 3 Johnston
The Class 5A football playoff pairings have been announced by the Iowa High School Athletic Association. Fifth-seeded Ankeny (7-2) will host No. 12 Southeast Polk (5-4) in Friday's opening round. The Rams are the four-time defending state champions. The winner of that game will play either No. 4 Iowa City Liberty (8-1) or No. 13 Waukee (4-5) in the … [Read more...] about Playoff pairings announced: Hawks to host S.E. Polk, Jaguars travel to No. 3 Johnston
Hawks rout Council Bluffs Lincoln, move up to No. 5 in final Class 5A RPI rankings
It took only 15 seconds for the Ankeny football team to grab the lead for good in Friday's game at Wickersham Stadium. Owen Fischer returned the opening kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown, and the sixth-ranked Hawks went on to rout Council Bluffs Lincoln, 61-0, in the regular-season finale for both squads. "They blocked it up really nicely," Fischer said … [Read more...] about Hawks rout Council Bluffs Lincoln, move up to No. 5 in final Class 5A RPI rankings
‘It was a good start’: Centennial begins postseason run with sweep over J-Hawks
(Story by Stephen McDaniel) Ankeny Centennial volleyball’s aspirations for postseason play takes the Jaguars well beyond just the regional bracket. But all good postseason runs start by hitting the ground running. The second-ranked Jaguars used a couple big runs to help sweep visiting Cedar Rapids Jefferson (25-8, 25-10, 25-9) in three sets in … [Read more...] about ‘It was a good start’: Centennial begins postseason run with sweep over J-Hawks
Ankeny’s Corron places 14th, Subbert finishes 16th in CIML diving competition
The diving portion of the CIML Conference girls' swimming meet was held on Thursday at the Waukee Natatorium. Ankeny's Isla Corron placed 14th in the 11-dive event with a score of 325.80 points. Teammate Kambelle Subbert finished 16th with 320.15. Holli Hetzer of Southeast Polk, the state's second-ranked diver, won the event with 435.00 points. Bailey … [Read more...] about Ankeny’s Corron places 14th, Subbert finishes 16th in CIML diving competition
‘We executed and had fun’: Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown in regional opener
The Ankeny volleyball team didn't waste much time advancing to the final round of regional play. The sixth-ranked Hawkettes scored the first eight points of the match and went on to defeat visiting Marshalltown, 25-11, 25-10, 25-7, in a Class 5A regional semifinal on Thursday. They hit .429 on the night and racked up 10 aces while completing 73-of-74 … [Read more...] about ‘We executed and had fun’: Hawkettes sweep Marshalltown in regional opener
Smith, Madetzke advance to state, but qualifying streak ends for Ankeny squads
Ankeny cross country standout Isaiah Smith has earned a fourth consecutive trip to the boys' Class 4A state meet. Another senior, Makenna Madetzke, has qualified for the third time in the girls' race. This year, though, their respective teams will not be joining them. "It's really sad and kind of tragic to not have the team behind me," said … [Read more...] about Smith, Madetzke advance to state, but qualifying streak ends for Ankeny squads